What Are the Side Effects When Your Dog Eats Wisteria Plants?

Wisterias (Wisteria spp.) grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9, depending on species and are favored by their fragrant, colorful blooms and climbing ability. Despite being common in the nursery industry, these plants can pose quite the health risk to your dog due to toxic compounds within the seeds, pods and bark.

Symptoms

The symptoms associated with wisteria poisoning in dogs are primarily gastrointestinal including repeated and severe vomiting and diarrhea, sometimes with blood. He may show signs of an upset stomach, nausea or dehydration. If your pooch has eaten the seeds or pods of wisteria, he may also collapse or show signs of depression.

Toxicity

The seeds and pods of wisteria are potentially extremely dangerous to your pooch, as they can be to people. The seeds and pods have toxic lectins, found in most types of beans. Lectins are toxic because they clump erythrocytes. According to Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, other symptoms of poisoning from various lectins include reduced growth and nutrient absorption. plants. Wisteria also contains a toxic glycoside called wisterin that is present in the seeds, pods and bark of wisteria plants.

What to Do

If you catch your pooch gnawing on any part of a wisteria, remove him from the area immediately. Contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, your veterinarian or another pet poison helpline and be ready to detail when your pup at the wisteria, how much he ate and any symptoms he's displaying at the moment. You can also call your vet immediately instead of a poison control center. Don't induce vomiting or do anything besides remove your pet from the area before speaking with a professional.

Removal

As much as you may try, you may not always be able to keep your pooch away from your wisteria -- or other toxic plants in your yard. Exclude your pet from the area surrounding your wisteria either by fence or tether or, to be on the safest side, remove the plant -- and all other toxic plants -- from your landscape.

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About the Author

With a professional background in gardening, landscapes, pests and natural ecosystems, Jasey Kelly has been sharing her knowledge through writing since 2009 and has served as an expert writer in these fields. Kelly's background also includes childcare, and animal rescue and care.